







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Is there a problem with your phone battery? | |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | |
| Maybe she really is allergic to cats, we don't know that. | |
| Huh, it's quite good money! | |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | |
| Bear is okay with cats, but definitely not with dogs. | |
| Yeah, it's open here already... | |
| Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | |
| My dad is British and my mum is Australian. | |
| It's £135 per week! | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | |
| I guess mine is older than yours! | |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | |
| Do we have any paper towels? | |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | |
| Sorry Mrs. Jones, there is a misunderstanding... | |
| Is it because it's too violent? | |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | |
| Is there anything else you want me to do? | |